German shepherds are a popular breed of dog known for their intelligence, loyalty, and protective nature. However, like all breeds, they are susceptible to certain health issues. This article will discuss three common health problems in German shepherds: hip and elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, and gastric dilatation and volvulus (bloat).
Hip dysplasia is a hereditary condition that affects the ball and socket joint of the hip, causing looseness and improper growth. This condition is particularly common in German shepherds, with nearly 21% of them affected. Symptoms include difficulty walking, a swaying abnormal walk, pain, and in severe cases, immobility. Hip dysplasia can progress into degenerative joint disease or osteoarthritis, making early diagnosis crucial. Treatment options include weight management, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), veterinary-approved supplements, physical therapy, and surgery for severe cases.
Elbow dysplasia is another common issue in German shepherds, affecting nearly 19% of the breed. This condition is caused by abnormal elbow joint development, leading to symptoms such as limping, hesitancy to play or run, stiff elbow joints, and a cracking sound when the joint moves. Treatment for mild cases may include weight management, limited exercise, physical therapy, joint supplements, anti-inflammatories, and joint fluid modifiers. Surgery may be recommended for more severe cases, as elbow dysplasia can progress to osteoarthritis if left unresolved.
Degenerative myelopathy (DM) is a neurological disorder that affects a dog’s mobility by impacting the spinal cord and lower back. This hereditary disorder is extremely common in German shepherds, typically observed in middle-aged to older dogs between 4 to 14 years old. The exact cause of DM is unknown, but symptoms arise due to the inevitable degeneration of the spinal cord’s white matter. Early symptoms include walking on hind paw “knuckles,” hind feet scraping the ground, swaying while standing still, falling over easily when pushed from the side, and difficulty rising from a lying down position. In advanced stages, total paralysis of the hind end and urinary and fecal incontinence occur. While DM is incurable, progressive, and fatal, remedies involve keeping the dog as active as possible to avoid obesity and preserve muscle mass, including walking, swimming, and physical therapy. Dog supplements such as epsilon-aminocaproic acid, N-acetylcysteine, prednisone, and vitamins B, C, and E are also recommended to slow the disease’s progression.
Gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV), or bloat, is a life-threatening condition that affects German shepherds due to their deep chests. This occurs when the stomach becomes expanded with gas and then twists upon itself, blocking the entrance and exit. GDV is a rapidly progressive disease with early signs including anxiety towards the abdomen, drooling, standing and stretching, gagging without vomiting, and a bloated stomach. As it progresses, panting, weakness, and collapse may occur. Immediate veterinary attention is crucial, as GDV can lead to shock, intense heart stress, and death, with a mortality rate of 25 to 30% in German shepherds. Treatment involves stabilizing the dog through IV fluids, gastric decompression, untwisting the stomach, and examining the abdomen for damage. In severe cases, gastropexy may be performed, followed by hospitalization and medication. Preventive measures include feeding small meals throughout the day, using puzzle feeders to encourage slow eating, and avoiding exercise before and after eating.
German shepherds are a popular breed of dog known for their intelligence, loyalty, and protective nature. However, like all breeds, they are susceptible to certain health issues. This article will discuss two common health problems in German shepherds: perianal fistula or anal furunculosis and cauda equina syndrome and lumbosacral syndrome/disease.
Perianal fistula or anal furunculosis is a chronic, progressive inflammatory disease that is marked by tunnel-like formations in a dog’s skin around the anal area. Middle-aged German shepherds are mainly affected by this condition. The cause of perianal fistula is unknown, although genetics, an autoimmune disease, poor air circulation around the anal area or infection of the anal sacs are thought to be potential contributors.
Symptoms of perianal fistula include small oozing holes in the skin around the anal region, chronic diarrhea, painful or strained defecations, constipation, bloody stool and excessive licking of the anus. This condition can cause extreme pain and discomfort in your dog. They may cry when they are about to defecate or may react negatively when you try to lift their tail.
Treatment includes medical management through drugs like tacrolimus (a topical medication) and cyclosporine (an oral medication). Antimicrobials may also be suggested if there’s a bacterial infection. Surgery may be required for severe cases and involves removing infected tissue, but has a high risk of complications.Treatment is curative in most cases but can be recurrent.
Cauda equina syndrome and lumbosacral syndrome are progressive neurological diseases that primarily affect a dog’s lower back and hind legs. These syndromes occur when a dog’s spinal canal becomes narrowed, putting pressure on the nerves that exit the spine. Cauda equina syndrome and lumbosacral syndrome mainly show up in senior German shepherds around 7 years or older.
The main cause of these conditions is typically degenerative lumbosacral stenosis (DLSS), a syndrome based on the degeneration of joints in the spine. Other causes include intervertebral disc herniation, arthritic degeneration, congenital malformation, trauma, spinal tumors or a disc infection.
Your dog may exhibit weakness or lameness in the back legs, chew at their feet or tail and are reluctant to wag their tail or exercise. They may also develop urinary and fecal incontinence. In severe cases, they may become uncoordinated when walking or their back legs may become completely paralyzed.
Treatment through medical management involves pain medications and anti-inflammatories. Surgery is necessary if medications aren’t working or there are neurological symptoms such as paralysis. Regrettably, treatment options for cauda equina are not cures. The disease will continue to progress over time, but surgery and medications may help slow it down and alleviate pain.
In conclusion, German shepherds are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, and gastric dilatation and volvulus (bloat). While these conditions can be challenging to manage, early diagnosis and proper treatment can significantly improve the quality of life for affected dogs. Responsible pet owners should stay informed about these issues and work closely with their veterinarians to ensure the best possible care for their German shepherds.